When will or if the frenzy buying of reloading stuff end?

I can kinda sorta see why there is panic gun buying but why the panic buying of reloading supplies and equipment. Locally all the gun shops are out of primers and powder. I was trying to get ready for shooting season and did not realize there was such a shortage. I walked in to Gandermountain to grab a few primers and I was SHOCKED all gone powder almost all gone.

Seems like online most of the reloading kids are soldout.

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cfullgraf

January 18, 2013, 07:06 PM

If nothing else happens and based on 2009, it will take about 6 months for inventories to improve and another 6 months for prices to approach pre-election levels.

All bets are off if there is another incident and/or vote.

gspn

January 18, 2013, 07:16 PM

I'm guessing things will be approaching normal (notice I didn't say they will BE normal) sometime around Sept or Oct. I don't expect to walk into a single store and find ammo or reloading components sitting on the shelf until that time.

That's why I'm just going to start fishing early this year. I'm not going to sit around sweating it...I'll just go fishing instead.

hentown

January 18, 2013, 07:16 PM

If the Republicans in the House will demonstrate some testicular grandiosity, and I ain't holding my breath, shouldn't take too long. If they let the Community Organizer-in-Chief roll over them, then all bets are off. There is no COGENT reason for the House Republicans to compromise AT ALL on any new proposed gun-control legislation.

USSR

January 18, 2013, 07:52 PM

This is going to go on for a LONG time. Unlike the 2009 drought when there was no direct threat (other than a Dem being elected), now you have the president taking advantage of a tragedy to play to his base. This is likely to last at least until the midterm elections in 2014. Just MHO.

Don

Drail

January 18, 2013, 08:44 PM

Supplies will start being available again when all of the "hoarders" (like me) have built their stockpile up to where they are satisfied. Personally I am still sitting on cases of primers I bought back when the 94 ban was announced. People at that time laughed at me for buying so much. I cannot hardly believe what guys are having to pay now. Just business as usual with our idiots in D.C.

BYJO4

January 18, 2013, 08:55 PM

I also think things will greatly improve over the next 6 months. Buying will slowly level out and production by manufacturers will increase. Just hang in there.

Missionary

January 18, 2013, 09:05 PM

Greetings
Yepthat year sounds about right.
Happily 18 months ago a fellow reloader and I put together a good order. It is nice to watch the frenzy from the sidelines again.
Mike in ILL

capreppy

January 18, 2013, 09:05 PM

I stocked up some over the summer. I built a rifle and am building another so my needs changed a little. Worst case scenario and this goes through the end of the year, I'll be fine. My shooting buddy said prepare and I took that advice to heart.

I am starting to see some product here and here from some of the retailers. The holiday season is over and people are getting back to work and hopefully production is starting to ramp up.

Powder and primer is definitely still an issue. No way to tell how bad it is since we have no visibility to the back orders at the likes of MidwayUSA or PV or others.

bugsbunny45

January 18, 2013, 09:30 PM

One place had a date ob 7 -2013 as a date on primers. I am seeing 2-15-2013 on a lot of Lee reloading kits

9w1911

January 18, 2013, 10:32 PM

Yea I had no idea, never again will i be caught without a ton of stuff. Primers, I cannot get primers off my mind. Cannot buy enough either.
Score on the 4lbs of 231.

Walkalong

January 19, 2013, 09:06 AM

Between the price of metals going way up and the 2008 election, we had tons of folks get into reloading. The reloading forum was absolutely hopping with new reloaders with questions. It was fun helping to teach a great new wave of reloaders. So far this time is isn't as crazy, so I would hope supply would catch up faster this time. While many had learned during the primer shortage after Clinton was elected, many more people learned a lesson about keeping some extra stock on hand for little inconveniences like this. The ones that struggle the most are those just starting.

Jimbo53

January 19, 2013, 09:49 AM

With the ammo backlog and the producers trying to produce as much ammo as possible, I wonder how many primers they allocate for the reloading market? Might not be one of their big priorities.

GP100man

January 19, 2013, 10:15 AM

When ya have to show your reloading permit # to purchase your ration of primers , powder & bullet.

As far as us casters lead will become the 3rd largest smuggled commodity in the US.

It`s coming ,just as shore as rain !

I mite not live to see it ,but it`s coming !!

I got caught last time ,but not this time !!!

THe Dove

January 19, 2013, 10:24 AM

I like many others (not all but many) got hit hard the last frenzy. However, like many others I have been preparing and yes it is nice to watch the frenzy from the sidelines. I do not enjoy this stuff but it is nice not to be hit in the gut with all that is happening right now. I've been casting for 20 years now and luckily have enough ww and lead to get me through many years of shooting/reloading.

I just hope for all the fellow firearm brothers and sisters, this frenzy dies down and things can once again be "normal".

The Dove

hueyville

January 19, 2013, 10:47 AM

Around me everyone is restocked. Racks full of AR-15's, riot shotguns and Combloc guns. Most are completely restock with components except small rifle primers !nd .22 caliber bullets. Picked up 2 pounds of lil'gun yesterday at one shop. While at another a nice older gentleman came in looking for same powder and some 37 grain bullets for his Hornet. Heard him telling story of calling other shop and drove to town just to get powder. I told him I got it and if he needed would sell him one of the.cans of powder as the decent thing to do. He asked if I had a recommended load for heavy bullets as he was out of smalls. Asked what he wanted, drove to house, met him and handed him a new box of 37 grain bullets. He asked what price was and said had so long didn't remember so just take and enjoy. He gave me his business card and said if ever in need for anything give him a call. So if we all start sharing, the idiots that didn't stockpile a decade ago will stop buying stuff they don't even need, this perceived shortage will end. I have a box full of emails asking how to load 37 gr bullets for autoloaders. I answer that you don't. Every shop in my town is way heavy with powder, primers and bullets except for .22 calibers. Prices are up a bit but suppliers went up. Friend at shot show saying all he orders on the floor is shipping. One local shop actually over 50,000 primers in stock. Nothing has been banned nor will it this week. Stop freaking out.

smokey1

January 19, 2013, 11:25 AM

Look for pricing from manufactures to rise. material costs will increase with inflation setting. If nothing else they are leaving money on the table. Look at what people are charging and what people are paying on the secondary market.
If someone does not agree then looming anti gun campaign kicking into high gear no telling what crazy tax on ammo or their stupid proposed registering of ammo sales will keep short term demand high and supply choked.

Sit back and cry later or as a target shooter continue stocking up. There is always ammo on the shelf for 303 British, 17 HMR...

One last point. There are over 4 million new firearms on the market in the last 2 months. Some of which are first time gun owners. They need ammo as well.
Out sport continues to grow despite the opposition.

BullfrogKen

January 19, 2013, 11:30 AM

Four years ago the same thing happened. After the market settled, 9 months later, I changed my buying habits. I had never bought powder in 8 lb jugs before. I do now. Yes, its a hit on the new handloaders, but the market will stabilize. When it does, slowly build up your stocks.

USSR

January 19, 2013, 12:27 PM

Around me everyone is restocked. Racks full of AR-15's, riot shotguns and Combloc guns. Most are completely restock with components except small rifle primers !nd .22 caliber bullets.

So if we all start sharing, the idiots that didn't stockpile a decade ago will stop buying stuff they don't even need, this perceived shortage will end.

Every shop in my town is way heavy with powder, primers and bullets except for .22 calibers. Prices are up a bit but suppliers went up. Friend at shot show saying all he orders on the floor is shipping. One local shop actually over 50,000 primers in stock. Nothing has been banned nor will it this week. Stop freaking out.

Sorry, hueyville, but if this is indeed true in your area, it is an anomaly. In 99% of the cases, stores are pretty much bare of primers and powder, with resupply dates far into the future. So, enjoy your particular situation, but the macro situation is simply a case that is taught in any Econ 101 course: demand is exceeding supply due to the perceived threat of government intervention. The solution is not telling guys to "start sharing" and "stop buying stuff they don't even need", but to remove the political climate that is causing the problem to begin with. Just MHO.

Don

hueyville

January 19, 2013, 12:50 PM

Smokey1 wrote:
One last point. There are over 4 million new firearms on the market in the last 2 months. Some of which are first time gun owners. They need ammo as well.
Out sport continues to grow despite the opposition.

Good point sir. We may have the beginning of a new way to jump start our economy. Once a month have Obama propose a ban on some U.S.A. made product. Next month it could be a ban on American made cars, the next a ban on domestic manufactured electronics etc. Consider the idea of a ban on getting private health insurance policies. There would be a such a rush to actually do what folks should already have done that the idea of government mandated or supplied health care would die a natural death.

USSR, I cant disagree with you as all I see personally is what is happening in my community. That being said I was stunned yesterday when I went on my biweekly tour de gun shops to see all of them stocked to the gills with AR's, AK's, shotguns, powder, primers, etc. My buddy who has been at Shot Show all week says on everything except 5.56/.223, 7.62x39, 9mm and .22lr ammo; small rifle primers and 62 to 65 grain .223 bullets; quality 30 round AR mags and 7.62x39 mags; everything he has ordered was verified as packaged for shipping as of yesterday evening. He says the stuff that didn't verify as packaged to ship is back ordered and most should be on a truck within 2 weeks according to his vendors. A run can only last so long as the feds will actually ban our sport, people will spend all their disposable income or the suppliers will run double and triple shifts till the shelves restock. So my mid sized local municipality is an anomaly. Maybe because of our demographics most people so inclined to hoard did so in the past. Dunno...

Here is an idea for those of you having to slow your roll on your reloading/shooting habits due to not having enough stockpile to support your normal consumption. Take your spare time and go get your basic ham radio license. (Technician Class) No knowledge of Morse code is required now, the test is easy and usually only costs about 10 bucks. Then a couple of basic radios and you will have guaranteed two way communications with a surprising large number of like minded folk. I have found most hams are interested in emergency preparedness and guns. If your particular disaster of choice were to happen being able to communicate is going to be of importance.

Kachok

January 19, 2013, 12:51 PM

Yeah we are not even close to "restocked" yet. No IMR4350, no RL22, no small pistol or large rifle primers, and when I asked the local gun store if they had any AR15s the owner laughed at me. Yeah it is pretty bad here, good thing I had the foresight to stock up on primer, powder, and bullets the day all this started, I guess that makes me part of the problem LOL But at leased I actually reload and shoot, some people are buying this stuff thinking they can sell it for more later.

ReloaderFred

January 19, 2013, 01:22 PM

I just got home from the SHOT Show in Las Vegas last night. Everyone is sold out of everything. Fiocchi Ammunition has sold their entire production for 2013 in advance, ($134,000,000) and is taking no new orders at all this year. The others are in the same boat. I didn't bother to read through the posts, since I'm still catching up, but this is what I found in the industry.

I was able to place an order with Berry's Manufacturing for bullets, but that was about it. Those who saw this coming have what they need, but those who depend on the local store to always have a supply on hand are going to be empty handed for awhile.

Hope this helps.

Fred

Arbo

January 19, 2013, 01:34 PM

I was actually going to get into reloading as well as I'm doing more shooting and it makes sense. But yeah, can't find the stuff needed anywhere.

But I know a guy about an hour away that does reloading and in the event I can actually find primers and bullets that I want to load, he is set up for just about everything.

I kinda see that as a good thing as I can get 'trained' from someone with a load of experience first..

hueyville

January 19, 2013, 01:52 PM

Kachock, have actually gotten PM's from 3 people on this website offering to sell me components. Their price was plain goofy. Have also had 4 members here PM asking if I could hook them up and of course said yes. Two of them went far enough in the process to give me their phone numbers, tell me what they wanted and I picked it up. When it came down to finalizing the deal (I was not adding a single cent to price and actually negotiated really decent prices for what they wanted) neither called me back when I let them know had their primers in hand. So put most into my inventory except a few that went to a neighbor that didn't mind fattening up his stock. That said, am not going to even offer to help folks I don't know personally again with components.

The really weird thing is that through all of this most of the local shops never sold out of their 30 caliber stuff except M1a's. Most of the exotic battle rifles that cost real money even before the panic are still sitting in the racks. I found it odd that folks that were paying anything for AR's or AK's and then panicking when could not get one, didn't even seem to glance at HK's, FN's and such.

Yesterday as I was pilfering one shop I found an "old stock" 500 round package of .308 168 grain Sierra match king bullets that had sat so long the green box was fading toward yellow. Proprietor was so happy to have me ask cost knowing I was a buyer not a tire kicker sold them to me for an even 100 bucks just to get them gone. He said couldn't give away 500 round packages of loose bullets in anything but .223. That was completely odd to me. He also had several older 100 count boxes of GameKings in various calibers. All came in a deal where he bought the inventory from an older gun shop that went out of business. Most had three to four price tags stacked on them. He offered to let me have them at lowest price on boxes. Top sticker on the popular sizes said 29.99 and according to caliber/weight varied from 24.99 to 34.99. On the .284's peeled off top and next one under it said 24.99, peeled that off next said 19.99 and bottom price sticker said 17.99. I put three boxes of .243 cal, three of .257 cal, one of .264 cal, three of .284 cal, three of .338 cal, one of .323 cal, two of .358 cal and four of .375 cal with my 500 .308 MatchKing's and he rang up every 100 count box at 17.99. That said, I don't presently even own a .264, .323 or .375 caliber rifle but why not put them in stock while I can. Never know what your next rifle is going to be. So maybe I am part of the problem buying stuff don't even need but all of what I bought in that deal had sat in his inventory for over three years and no telling how long at the gun shop whose original stock they came from.

Arbo

January 19, 2013, 02:00 PM

good idea. look for used gear on ebay, and check craigs list too. Also, best learn to cast bullets, or contact whomever casts locally. get in touch with your local IPSC or IDPA "combat" match shooting clubs, somebody there knows a local commercial caster, and a commercial reloader, too. count on that much. Lead costs too much to be shipping it very far, and those guys shoot 20,000+ rds per year, or they are a nobody in such matches1

Well, I'm lucky in that the range I just rejoined is owned by the guy that owns Colorado Cast Bullet, Inc, which is on site, and I've been in and seen the machines and process. ;)

Kachok

January 19, 2013, 02:25 PM

Kachock, have actually gotten PM's from 3 people on this website offering to sell me components. Their price was plain goofy. Have also had 4 members here PM asking if I could hook them up and of course said yes. Two of them went far enough in the process to give me their phone numbers, tell me what they wanted and I picked it up. When it came down to finalizing the deal (I was not adding a single cent to price and actually negotiated really decent prices for what they wanted) neither called me back when I let them know had their primers in hand. So put most into my inventory except a few that went to a neighbor that didn't mind fattening up his stock. That said, am not going to even offer to help folks I don't know personally again with components.

The really weird thing is that through all of this most of the local shops never sold out of their 30 caliber stuff except M1a's. Most of the exotic battle rifles that cost real money even before the panic are still sitting in the racks. I found it odd that folks that were paying anything for AR's or AK's and then panicking when could not get one, didn't even seem to glance at HK's, FN's and such.

Yesterday as I was pilfering one shop I found an "old stock" 500 round package of .308 168 grain Sierra match king bullets that had sat so long the green box was fading toward yellow. Proprietor was so happy to have me ask cost knowing I was a buyer not a tire kicker sold them to me for an even 100 bucks just to get them gone. He said couldn't give away 500 round packages of loose bullets in anything but .223. That was completely odd to me. He also had several older 100 count boxes of GameKings in various calibers. All came in a deal where he bought the inventory from an older gun shop that went out of business. Most had three to four price tags stacked on them. He offered to let me have them at lowest price on boxes. Top sticker on the popular sizes said 29.99 and according to caliber/weight varied from 24.99 to 34.99. On the .284's peeled off top and next one under it said 24.99, peeled that off next said 19.99 and bottom price sticker said 17.99. I put three boxes of .243 cal, three of .257 cal, one of .264 cal, three of .284 cal, three of .338 cal, one of .323 cal, two of .358 cal and four of .375 cal with my 500 .308 MatchKing's and he rang up every 100 count box at 17.99. That said, I don't presently even own a .264, .323 or .375 caliber rifle but why not put them in stock while I can. Never know what your next rifle is going to be. So maybe I am part of the problem buying stuff don't even need but all of what I bought in that deal had sat in his inventory for over three years and no telling how long at the gun shop whose original stock they came from.
No nobody has PM'd me with any offers, I don't buy much online anyway. I have a decent stock and don't really "NEED" anything at the moment. Only thing I could really use is some more range time :) You would not believe how busy the local range is, people are waiting in long lines to shoot, never seen anything like it.

hueyville

January 19, 2013, 03:22 PM

Kachock wrote:
Only thing I could really use is some more range time You would not believe how busy the local range is, people are waiting in long lines to shoot, never seen anything like it.

Guess I am lucky. Can shoot .22lr as much as I want at home. In basement have small bullet trap and as long as only shoot my NFA supressed .22 wife does not mind me busting caps in the house. At work I have a small bore rifle lane outside that can shoot .17 hmr, .22lr, .22 mag up to my .22 hornet. I have targets at 25, 50 and 75 yards. In my warehouse have a bullet trap and shoot from .22lr up to .45 acp inside almost daily. From the bullet trap I have firing lines at 25, 50 and 75 feet. I own a "farm" about 45 minutes from home with a pistol and rifle range. From the bench I have targets at 25, 50, 100, 200, 300 and 400 yards. Dead level and the sun never in your eyes, wind flags every 100 yards, etc. I have access to the local Sheriff's pistol and rifle range by appointment as long as don't bring friends or show up when they are training, local gun range by appointment and several friends close by with lots of ground hogs, coyotes, crows and squirrels they want eradicated. Thus I get to shoot almost daily and have enough variety to keep from getting bored. Do you not have a gun range close by? Our local indoor ranges not busy during the business day. Only evenings and weekends.

greybeard57

January 19, 2013, 03:52 PM

I guess I'm lucky too, I currently have a 100yrd rifle with the possibility of 1000yrds if I could build a suitable backdrop and a separate pistol range that's up to 12yrds in my backyard. My farm is small but it's narrow and long and I have no neighbors. LOL

Ret.CWO

January 19, 2013, 04:10 PM

It's always been " If you snooze you loose "After this is over you may want to stock up every chance you get. I learned that leason 20 years ago. I've never been short.:):)

BullfrogKen

January 19, 2013, 04:15 PM

Kachok,

I had some business to take care of at my local club.

Every outdoor pistol pit had people there shooting, and it was hard finding a place to park.

Inebriated

January 19, 2013, 04:24 PM

I'm guessing about three months. We should know how the political side is going to play out by then, and either things will be banned/restricted, or they won't. I think the worst of the panic buying is over, unless there's an announcement of definite restrictions, which will obviously set off another frenzy, until the legislation were to go into effect, so it wouldn't last long. And if nothing happens in the next three months, then I'm guessing most people have moved on, and we'll see things return to normal. That's my bet, anyway... but, maybe I'm just an optimist.

rg1

January 19, 2013, 10:57 PM

I see no end to the panic buying. Guns, ammo, and components will disappear as soon as they are restocked. Those people caught short-handed or have just decided to get into reloading or have their 1st guns and need ammo are going to make certain they are stocked up and "won't let that happen again". Manufacturers are not going to be able to keep up and this will continue at least for this year and probably into the next, regardless of whether the anti-gun politicians pass any new laws. Prices will fall but probably won't get to the level before all this happened. Just my opinion from a pessimist's viewpoint.

788Ham

January 19, 2013, 11:24 PM

I feel very fortunate today, got a phone call about 1130-ish, "Hey, you still want that powder you've been wanting?" I couldn't hardly wait for the garage door to clear, I was gone in 1/2 heartbeat. I finally got 2 one .lb bottles of Win. 231 powder, I about messed myself when the guy handed me the stuff! When I asked him if he could get anymore in 4 lb. containers, he said, "No, this is the biggest I can get." So I ordered 2 more lbs. of 231 and 2 lbs. of AA #5, "Might be awhile before I can get it, but I'll order it for you." This guy's prices were $9.00 a lb. cheaper than the big box joints, won't be going back to SW or Gander anytime soon! I'd rather give this small guy the money than those other clowns!

dragon813gt

January 19, 2013, 11:27 PM

Things will normalize by the end of summer. Manufacturers want to reap the profits so you can bet they will be pumping product out. They learned their lesson last time around as well.

People have short attention spans. I don't expect most first time shooters to amass a stockpile consisting of thousands of rounds. I see most of them forgetting about their new purchase and moving on to the next new thing. I'm counting on this so I can reap the benefits of good deals from a flush market.

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Kachok

January 20, 2013, 12:14 AM

Kachok,

I had some business to take care of at my local club.

Every outdoor pistol pit had people there shooting, and it was hard finding a place to park.
Cars were lined up parked across the street at our range, it was a madhouse, maybe I should open a range, seems business is booming LOL

FROGO207

January 20, 2013, 08:01 AM

Keeping a minimum 2 year supply stockpiled ahead of components anticipated to be used to reload at current usage has been a VERY good choice on my part. I have been doing it for the past 20 or so years and have never regretted it. Even have 50K of various .22LR ammo ahead at prices that will never be seen again I am afraid.:( I am just lucky that I had the spare cash to invest when I did. Spent a little every week and it did not bother so badly.;) Some of my friends did not and they are not happy about the current situation I am afraid. I will share with them BUT only so much that it does not hurt my situation.

El Guero

January 20, 2013, 10:32 AM

Supplies will start being available again when all of the "hoarders" (like me) have built their stockpile up to where they are satisfied. Personally I am still sitting on cases of primers I bought back when the 94 ban was announced. People at that time laughed at me for buying so much. I cannot hardly believe what guys are having to pay now. Just business as usual with our idiots in D.C.

Good to see somebody finally admit to having a 20 year supply of components yet still buy out every shelf they see. I fully expect to find see an episode of that Hoarders show someday where they find a guy with floor to ceiling primers, powder, and cast bullets. I suppose a guy like that would be far too paranoid to let a camera in the house though...

I also get the feeling that most of the component hoarders don't shoot much to begin with. I was just thinking about doing more shooting this year but I've only got 800 primers!

Kachok

January 20, 2013, 11:10 AM

Only thing I am short on is bulk 9mm, got plenty of premium HPs but no bulk cheap bullets, 9mm and 223 seem to be the hardest cartrages to get components for right now, did not see ANY of them yesterday. Oddly enough there was plenty of .40 and .45 cal stuff untouched, and there is still a decent supply of 30 cal bullets which surprises me. They were still sold out of my 165gr SGKs but they did have the hefty 180gr SGKs in stock, bought a box just in case I run our of 165s before the season ends.

Elkins45

January 20, 2013, 12:16 PM

I ordered some stuff from Graf's on the first and it hasn't even shipped yet. I'm not talking about AR mags or 9mm ammo, I ordered 375 Ruger brass and dies and a .379 bullet mold. This is hardly high demand stuff, but all the other guys are in line ahead of me. They told me it will probably ship next week.

Can you imagine what it must be like to be a stock picker or packer at Grafs, Midsouth or Midway? I'll bet those guys are working 12 hour days since before Christmas!

788Ham

January 20, 2013, 02:08 PM

Back in May, Midway had a deal on .224 bullets, 500 in a box, I ordered 3 of them, just so I'd have them. Was at a big box store about mid June, saw some 250 packs of bullets, I picked up 4 of those. When I told a buddy about my buys, "What the hell you need so many for?" Guess who wants some? I'd also picked up some powder I like for my .223, stored it away, guess what kinds can't be found now? Yep, most kinds we all use. Plus, at a GS in June, I picked up 4K of SRM primers, "just in case something hits the fan", hope I have enough.

claiborne

July 18, 2013, 07:33 AM

Still can't get bullets primers or powder in any quantity or fair price around Tucson! It is July now.:cuss:

The answer is as much politics as it is economics or logistics. The politics get worse by the day. Meanwhile the number of shooters increases. However, I think the heaviest impact will be in minor calibers, especially 9mm. The increase in ammo prices along with component prices and degree of shortages is amazing compared to 2-3 years ago, when we saw $10/box of 50for 115g FMJ. That same ammo is listed today on Gunbot as $21.99.

The explosion, pardon the pun, of reloading should be no surprise, but it also means more people who are not well suited to the disciplines and demands of reloading. For now though, they heavily burden the supplies of components along side the defensive hoarders among the established reloaders.

docsleepy

July 18, 2013, 09:40 AM

Well, like many of you, I have been teaching others how to reload. I have a new reloader with the Leap press doing 223 and thinking about 3030. Another guy will come over and reload 9 mm on my press. Fellow I got started a little while back has added a turret press, the second single stage, classic loaders in all of about five calibers, and he has a stock large enough to find a small war. A very busy friend of mine has bought a single stage press, now loads for Mosin-Nagant as well as 223, also bought classic loaders. His neighbor, a policeman, drug out an old press, and ask for help finding components.

A gal at work, bought an NFA AR 15, a turret, and is ready to reload 9 mm and .223.

With all of us working together, we have managed to purchase enough powder and primers and bullet to get all these people started. Bullets were the hardest.

I tried to get everyone about two or 3 pounds of powder, 2000 primers, and several hundred bullets. I wanted each one of them to get a good feel for what it was like not being able to buy things they wanted. When stuff becomes more available they will buy a larger quantity I hope.

docsleepy

July 18, 2013, 09:42 AM

Oh, and we just had a 300 yard ballistic target shooting clinic with many of my friends, good attendance, everybody learned a lot.

KansasSasquatch

July 18, 2013, 10:05 AM

I don't know what everyone's talking about. Component availability is the best it's been since October. Take this for example http://www.midwayusa.com/find?sortby=1&itemsperpage=24&newcategorydimensionid=6291&statuses=In%20Stock Prices aren't great but they aren't terrible. It's hard to find some things in true bulk quantities but there's stuff available. Small rifle and pistol primers are probably the only exception to things being available, although just the other day Midway had 12,000count packages of Fiocchi SRP's in stock and at least once a week I get a notification for primers in stock. Hell my local Cabela's even had components in stock. It's been months since I've been able to walk in there and have an option of bullets. They had at least 8 different types of .224 bullets for plinking, hunting, and match shooting, over a dozen types of .308 bullets (what I went looking for), and something for every caliber of handgun. Powder was slim but there was something most reloaders could make do with. They even had a good bit of .22lr in stock. And I'm not writing this to brag or rub it in anyone's face. I'm doing it to show that stuff is becoming more available, it just requires a little more digging and patience to find it, and probably a few dollars more.

bds

July 18, 2013, 10:23 AM

According to several local ranges and gun stores, they have seen historic record setting firearms sales and all the new gun owners need/want to shoot their new guns.

As hard as it is for me to imagine, every time I go to the ranges, I see mounds of new factory spent cases on the range floor. We all know how much factory ammunition have been selling for recently yet people are lined up in long wait lines to shoot with several boxes of factory ammunition in hand. When I talked to some of them, they said with recent increase in crime, they want to be well practiced regardless of the cost of ammunition.

I have recently helped several shooters get started with reloading and some of them are driven to reloading to be more "self reliant/independent" and I am seeing more and more people learning to reload with the perspective of "disaster preparedness".

ranger335v

July 18, 2013, 03:33 PM

"When will or if the frenzy buying of reloading stuff end? "

August 22, 8:40 AM, CST, is the presently scheduled time but that may change.

August 22, 8:40 AM, CST, is the presently scheduled time but that may change.

2017?

frankenstein406

July 18, 2013, 07:05 PM

when supply catches up with demand?

ranger335v

July 18, 2013, 07:17 PM

"2017?"

I'm only authorised to give the day and hour, the year is classified information.

Walkalong

July 18, 2013, 10:53 PM

2014, unless we get stupid in 2014.

Then the year is any ones guess.

Peter M. Eick

July 28, 2013, 06:51 AM

Those of us who have been to this rodeo before know it is actually getting close to over. I think we will hit a new normal by October and then it will be time for the heavy users like myself to start to slowly stock up again.

The key learning I had on the last couple was to maintain at least a years supply of resources, preferably two. I am slowly coming down to 1 year so it is time to start to think about stocking up.

What I do is watch the sales and only buy on sale. Buy as much as you can afford and store it. I have also found that when you buy large enough piles at once, vendors will give you "off book" discounts. For example, my last primer order we got at $16.00/1000 when the going rate on sale was $25/1000. Buy 100,000 primers at a whack and you can ask for those type of discounts. Buy a 1000 and you just get laughed at.

Potatohead

July 28, 2013, 09:09 AM

It never ceases to amaze me how stupid we can be

HexHead

July 28, 2013, 09:52 AM

My buddy's reloading store is getting pretty much back to pre-panic levels of stock. Lots of powders, primers back in stock and even bullets becoming available again. Prices are a little higher, but that's only because his suppliers are charging more. He's always had the best prices in town.

No, he doesn't ship!

HOWARD J

July 28, 2013, 09:59 AM

I have been reloading for about 40 years
I don't need to buy anything----there is nothing to buy around here if I did.
One local gun shop got in 200# of powder---was sold out in about 2 hours with a limit of
1 #

RealGun

July 28, 2013, 03:32 PM

I don't think we can count on this being just another cycle, because at no time in the past did government agencies put such a strain on raw materials and manufacturing capacities by buying obscene quantities and making every agency, even those without deadly force enforcement responsibilities or obvious need for armed protection in their work, into armies of the executive branch, complete with multiyear supply lines and armories.

docsleepy

July 28, 2013, 07:03 PM

If you're going to buy very large quantities of components, be careful to follow law or code. In Florida, once you exceed a certain lbs of powder, they have to be stored in a 1" (nominal) thickness WOOD container. Max limit for a residence if I remember is 150 # of powder.

There may be code for primer storage, though this is not as often specified in my (limited) experience. You might consider building wooden box structures that allow for storage of larger quantities of primers, and perhaps to avoid having them too concentrated. Not so many alltogether!

bfoosh006

July 28, 2013, 08:36 PM

Honestly, there is so much more going on in the world than just short ammo supply.The materials to make ammo are being messed with. I am not a conspiracy nut, but once you start reading , you see that there is BS going on. Prices for metals are being manipulated in ways we can not imagine. Driving up costs , that we accept ,not knowing .

You hit the nail on the head that I try to warn folks about buying in bulk. Powder is fairly easy to build a box for and SAAMI puts out detailed instuctions on building one to their specs. The problem is primers. While as a dealer you can store up to 750,000 per pile (if I remember right) as a private cititze you get into the fire code and you need to be careful to not go over 10,000 primers. What is interesting is I can't find any restrictions on how much ammo you can have.

My solution is to job it out and store the primers at friends houses. When I get low I have a list and go get them back as needed.

fields

July 28, 2013, 09:31 PM

Peter, do you know how much powder we can have in our homes, and the storage rules?

docsleepy

July 28, 2013, 10:34 PM

different for each state. IN fl, I think up to 20 lbs, no problem. Beyond that, need 1" wooden box. I simply "faced" a footlocker with more wood.

I have seen the 10,000 primer thing before somewhere. That is a potential problem for many people. distributing out to friends is one solution. There are probably many others creative people will think of.

Be careful out there, folks. Don't need any tragedies!

The ammo thing is different because then the primers are definitely far apart.

Rom828

July 28, 2013, 11:38 PM

I got into reloading shortly after 2008 and powder and components have never been plentiful. I just buy what I need when I see it. Was looking for Win 231 but they just happened to get HP38, bingo. Would have never went out of my way to get Trail Boss but I stumbled into a good Armslist deal on lead bullets. Don't be too picky and you'll be fine.

Jesse Heywood

July 29, 2013, 12:31 AM

For me, the shortage will end when I die. Then I won't need any more. ;)

Ken70

July 29, 2013, 02:48 PM

It's gonna be quite a while, before things get back to "normal". Powder and primers are only made by a couple of companies, and I haven't seen anything about them adding to the manufacturing capacity. They don't see any reason to expand, they can get a better profit margin with things the way they are....

Warners

July 29, 2013, 08:57 PM

I got lucky lately.....a guy on one of the forums that I visit occasionally was moving to Alaska, passing through Canada, and couldn't take his reloading stuff with him. I was able to pick up a brand new 8lb container of W231 for $130. HP38 (same thing as W231) is my favorite powder...very versatile. I don't shoot as much as a lot of guys on here, but I was really getting low on the HP38...down to about a half pound. In the mean time, I picked up a couple pounds of Unique, which I've never used, but read that it's a pretty versatile powder much like HP38. And just last weekend I bought a pound of W296 as I intend to start loading 44 magnum, followed by 357 magnum. A pound of powder really doesn't go too far with full house 44 magnum loads, I'm finding....a little over 300 rounds per pound!

Warner

Montman

July 30, 2013, 07:57 PM

I just got into reloading because I couldn't find ammunition.
I was able to find the equipment - mostly on ebay and gunbroker.com. (Went with the Lee Hand Press.)
Luckily I found a place about 50 miles from me that has plenty of powder and primers - couldn't order those through the mail. He has stuff the big stores are out of or are charging too much for.
Went back last week and he seemed to have more factory ammo than before. And the stores around here have a little more factory ammo in stock - so maybe things will be back to normal in another 5 or 6 months.

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